The Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday addressed the nation on Independence Day, stressing that the time is not for speeches but rather for hard work. President Aoun stressed that the political contradictions have been behind the delay in forming the government, adding that carefulness is needed in order to ... Read More »
Heavy deployment of security forces in central Beirut, banks set to reopen
A heavy deployment of Lebanese security forces fanned out in central Beirut on Tuesday, ahead of a parliamentary session protesters have vowed to prevent, as they demonstrate against the ruling elite. Banks were set to reopen for the first time in a week after announcing temporary steps, such as a ... Read More »
Gen. Aoun defends Army’s role regarding protests
The commander of the Army said Sunday that blocking roads was unacceptable, but maintained that the Army is responsible for keeping protesters safe. Speaking during a tour that involved visits to various Army units, Gen. Joseph Aoun praised the soldiers and the work that they were doing, saying they showed ... Read More »
Lebanon resembles a sinking ship, parliament speaker says
Lebanon is like a sinking ship that will go under unless action is taken, Nabih Berri, the speaker of parliament was quoted as saying on Monday, referring to the country’s deep economic and political crisis. “The country is like a ship that is sinking little by little,” al-Joumhuria newspaper cited ... Read More »
Aoun Says May Call for Consultations Thursday, Warns against Continued Protests
President Michel Aoun said that he might call for parliamentary consultations to name a new premier on Thursday or Friday if the parties concerned respond positively to the proposals, as he warned protesters against continued blocking of roads and state institutions. “The consultations might be held Thursday or Friday pending ... Read More »
Judiciary must fight corruption, including Hezbollah officials: Nasrallah
Fighting corruption should be Lebanon’s priority, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah said Monday, saying the party was ready to cooperate with the judiciary in cases involving its members. “If there is any case related to a Hezbollah official, I urge you to start with us, and I guarantee Hezbollah’s respect,” ... Read More »
Central Bank Governor Reassures the Lebanese: We Have Taken Measures to Protect Depositors from Any Losses
Lebanese Central Bank Governor, Riad Salameh, pledged Monday that BDL’s (Banque du Liban) main objective is to protect depositors and deposits, underlining that “this is a basic and final matter, and we have taken the necessary procedures so that there will be no losses borne by depositors.” Addressing the Lebanese ... Read More »
Tuesday’s legislative session postponed for security reasons
Speaker Berri announced the decision during a televised news conference on Monday Speaker Nabih Berri announced Monday that the parliamentary session, planned for Tuesday, has been postponed until the 19th for security reasons. The agenda for the meeting, however, will remain unchanged. On a televised TV interview .. he ... Read More »
World Bank highlights urgent need to stop ’emerging economic crisis’
The World Bank highlighted the urgent need to stop Lebanon’s “emerging economic crisis” in a statement Wednesday, projecting that if the situation continues, poverty in the country could rise to approximately 50 percent. According to regional director Saroj Kumar Jha, the World Bank had earlier projected a “small recession” ... Read More »
Aoun: Next govt’s 1st task to fight corruption
President Michel Aoun said any new government’s first task will be to follow up on combating corruption, during a meeting Monday with United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis. “The investigation will include all officials in all levels of public administrations,” Aoun said, according to a statement from the ... Read More »